LIVE COVERAGE: Roads, schools and homes affected by snow in North Devon

Snow is affecting a large number of roads across North Devon today. Keep up-to-date with the latest road and school closures with our regularly updated article below.

Click here to view a full photo gallery of snow in North Devon today.

Send your photos of snow in North Devon to emma.glanfield@localworld.co.uk

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10.30pm SUMMARY:

• All roads reopen in North Devon, although driving conditions are deemed hazardous across the region

• Fresh ice warnings issued for North Devon on Saturday and Sunday

• Several inches of snow fell across North Devon today today, with reports of up to 10ft on Exmoor

• Mobile phone signal affected for hundreds across North Devon due to snow

• Council gritting truck crashed in icy conditions near Combe Martin

PHOTO GALLERIES:

Click here to view a full photo gallery of snow in North Devon today

PHOTO GALLERY: Snow falls on Damien Hirst's Verity statue in Ilfracombe

PHOTOS: A snowy day in North Devon!

PHOTOS: Winter Wonderland, uploaded by skareggae72

PHOTOS: Snowy roads, uploaded by thescottmc

PHOTO: Barnstaple's Roundswell Roundabout at 6.30am this morning

ROADS:

9.55pm UPDATE:

The following roads have reopened following earlier closures but conditions remain hazardous:

Hazardous driving conditions on A39 at Countisbury Hill in both directions between the Tors Park junction in Lynmouth and the New Road junction in Oare because of snow.

On the A399 the carriageway is just passable but there are hazardous driving conditions in both directions in Bratton Fleming around the Benton Road junction because of snow.

There is still snow on the B3223 Shamble Way in both directions in West Lyn between the A39 Shamble Way junction and the Scobhill Road junction

There is also snow on the B3358 in both directions between the A399 junction in Blackmoor Gate and the B3223 junction in Simonsbath

Hazardous driving conditions on all minor roads between the Muddiford junction and the Combe Martin junction because of snow

8.10pm UPDATE:

Four police cars and an ambulance were called to a crash involving a black Ford Fiesta at Turnpike Cross near Mullacott Veterinary Hospital at around 7.15pm this evening.

On arrival the emergency services found the car on its roof and blocking the main road between Ilfracombe and Woolacombe.

The woman driver had already freed herself from the car and had not sustained any injuries.

She told police she had swerved to avoid a badger and ended up flipping the car onto its roof.

Police said the road was snowy and the weather conditions were poor at the time of the crash.

At 8.50pm a recovery vehicle was at the scene and in the process of removing the car.

6.01pm RECAP:

The following roads are still closed due to snow and ice in North Devon:

• The A399 at Friendship Cross due to drifts of up to 5ft of snow

• The B3358 in both directions between the A399 junction in Blackmoor Gate and the B3223 in Simonsbath

• The B3223 Shamble Way in West Lyn

• The B3230 in West Down closed at Lynton Cross

• The A39 at Countisbury Hill between Tors Park junction in Lynmouth and New Road junction in Oare

Also:

• Devon County Council advising to avoid ‘non-essential’ travel

• Fresh ice warning issued for parts of North Devon for Saturday and Sunday

• Reports of up to 10ft of snow on some parts of Exmoor

• Gritting truck has crashed into a ditch on the A3123 near Combe Martin

• A361 North Devon Link Road open but driving conditions are hazardous

• Hazardous driving conditions on A399 at Bratton Fleming

• Lack of phone signal and disruption to electricity supplies in Croyde and Georgeham (see other issues below for more details)

4.41pm UPDATE:

- The A39 is closed in both directions at Countisbury Hill between the Tors Park junction in Lynmouth and the New Road junction in Oare because of snow.

- The B3358 is closed in both directions between the A399 junction in Blackmoor Gate and the B3223 junction in Simonsbath because of snow.

- The B3223 Shamble Way in West Lyn is closed in both directions between the A39 Shamble Way junction and the Scobhill Road junction because of snow.

4.15pm UPDATE:

Photos of the gritter which veered into a ditch on the A3123 near Combe Martin this afternoon have now been added to the photo reel above. Scroll through to see them. Alternatively, you can view the photos by clicking here.

4.01pm UPDATE:

- The B3223 Hillsford Bridge to Brendon Two Gates has now been closed due to snow.

- The A39 between Lynmouth and County Gate is closed

- The B3358 at Friendship Cross remains closed due to snow

3.48pm UPDATE:

There are hazardous driving conditions on A399 at Bratton Fleming due to heavy snow. Motorists are advised to take care in both directions around the Benton Road junction.

3.10pm RECAP:

• Devon County Council gritter has crashed into a ditch on the A3123 near Combe Martin

• A361 North Devon Link Road open but driving conditions are ‘treacherous’

• The A399 remains closed at Friendship Cross due to drifts of up to 5ft of snow

• The B3223 and B3358 on Exmoor are closed. Snow blowers and JCBs in action to clear

• Reports of up to 10ft of snow on some parts of Exmoor

• B3230 in West Down closed at Lynton Cross

• Devon County Council advising to avoid ‘non-essential’ travel

VIDEO: Snow on the old railway in Ilfracombe. Video uploaded by skareggae72.

2.55pm UPDATE:

A gritter has toppled into a ditch on a snow-covered road near Combe Martin.

The gritter, which also has a snow plough on the front of it, had ended up in a ditch near to Stowford Farm Meadows camping and caravan site on the A3123.

Journal photographer Rob Tibbles was at the scene and said the A3123 and the A399 between Blackmoor Gate and Combe Martin is virtually impassable due to heavy snow drifts.

The A3123 is blocked in both directions while the gritter is being pulled back onto the road.

Rob Tibbles described the scene: “There are three gritters up here one of which is in a ditch. The road is backed up in either direction and the road is all but impassable. There is a recovery vehicle pulling the gritter out of the ditch with chains. It looks like two wheels have gone into the ditch.”

Devon County Council confirmed the gritter had slipped off the road due to the snowy conditions. A spokesman said: “It happened late Thursday on the road between Lynton to Berry Down.

"The driver was unhurt and no other vehicle was involved.

"We quickly dispatched another gritter to the scene and were able to continue with the gritting route.”

2.20pm UPDATE:

A woman was taken to hospital after a car collided with a telegraph pole near Combe Martin this afternoon.

Police, fire and ambulance crews were called to the scene at Berry Down Cross on the A3123 at around 12.20pm.

Officers said the woman was still trapped in the red Peugeot, which is registered to an address in Clovelly, when emergency services arrived.

Fire crews from Combe Martin and Ilfracombe used hydraulic cutting equipment to free the woman.

Police said she was suffering from some possible fractures to her arms. Paramedics placed her on a spinal board and she was taken to North Devon District Hospital by ambulance.

The road was blocked while emergency services dealt with the incident but it is now clear.

1.45pm UPDATE:

Journal reporter Will Topps has just driven up the A361 North Devon link road after attending a Devon and Somerset Fire Authority meeting in Exeter. He says the road is passable but visibility is low.

"As I came off the M5 there was some slush in the outside lane of the dual carriageway section of the road but traffic was flowing freely. The road was then surprisingly clear climbing out of Tiverton but as I got higher onto the moor the visibility started to plummet until I could see no more than 30-40 yards ahead of me. The road was still clear though and it was easy to make good progress.

"There were some large drifts of snow on one side of the road but no sign of it settling in the carriageway, until I got to the Knowstone junction near Rose Ash. Some snow was settling on the road there, but only over a 300-400 yard section around the junction.

"I carried on without any problems and passed West Buckland, where a dozen or so cars were parked at the foot of the hill into the village, probably abandoned by people who had walked up the hill.

"And then, as I passed Landkey the snow more or less disappeared. Although it was still falling none was settling anywhere."

1pm UPDATE:

The B3230 in West Down is closed in both directions.

It is closed both ways at the A3123 Lynton Cross junction.

11.29am RECAP:

• A361 North Devon Link Road has reopened although driving conditions are ‘treacherous’

• The A361 at Mullacott Cross near Ilfracombe is closed and around 20 cars abandoned

• The A399 is closed at Friendship Cross due to drifts of up to 5ft of snow

• The B3223 and B3358 on Exmoor are closed and snow blowers and JCBs in action to clear

• Devon County Council advising to avoid ‘non-essential’ travel

• Homes in Croyde and Georgeham without electricity

• No phone signal in many areas across North Devon including Croyde, Georgeham and Shirwell

11.01am UPDATE:

The latest news from our reporter at the scene, Joel Cooper, is that there are more than 20 cars which have been abandoned at Mullacott Cross due to heavy snow drifts. Motorists are advised to completely avoid the area.

10.23am UPDATE:

A white Nissan Micra is stuck in a snow drift in Parracombe. Police said they received reports the car was stuck at around 9.25am. The driver is uninjured but the car has suffered damage following a crash. The car was headed in the direction of Blackmoor Gate on the A39.

10.15am UPDATE:

Police have received reports the A399 between combe Martin and Blackmoor Gate is impassable.

10.01am UPDATE:

- Snow is drifting on the A361 North Devon Link Road. Devon County Council gritters have been leading a convoy of light vehicles behind them to get traffic moving. Gritters and ploughs are continuing to work on the A361.

- The A361 has re-opened after it was closed earlier at Bonners Bridge, Mullacott Cross to Lynton Cross.

- A number of roads are closed in the Exmoor area. The A399 is closed at Friendship Cross due to drifts of up to 5 foot of snow, the B3223 and B3358 are also closed and snow blowers and JCBs are to be deployed to Exmoor.

9.55am UPDATE:

Devon County Council is advising people to take extreme care if they are travelling today and to expect problems on higher ground, although conditions should be easing during the day.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “County Council teams have been working hard throughout the night gritting and ploughing main roads on our precautionary salting network.

"The conditions are challenging this morning and most major routes are passable with care, but we are dealing with extremely hazardous conditions on some roads such as the A361, and we would ask people to bear with us.

"Please do not make unnecessary journeys if it is not essential, but do take extreme care if you are travelling and where you can please keep to the main A and B roads and off of the minor roads.”

9.34am UPDATE:

The A39 is blocked in both directions following a car overturned at Penstowe Road, near the Clovelly turning. The crash occurred at Kilkhampton by Clovelly junction. Police said it is a minor road traffic collision which left the car on its side. Motorists are advised to approach with caution or seek an alternative route.

9.33am UPDATE:

There is queuing traffic on the in both directions in Bratton Fleming at the Benton Road junction because of snow.

9.15am UPDATE:

A crash involving two lorries on the A386 is blocking the road between Sourton Cross and Hatherleigh.

9.10am UPDATE:

Motorists trying to leave Ilfracombe have been turned back at Mullacott Cross due to thick snow.

Some drivers abandoned their cars on route to Mullacott and at around 8.30am there were long tailbacks while motorists cautiously turned back down towards Ilfracombe.

Strong winds have also caused several tree branches to fall down near Mullacott Equestrian Centre, though the fallen branches were not blocking the road.

On Facebook some drivers are reporting that all three main routes between Ilfracombe and Barnstaple are inpassable.

Ilfracombe Arts College has announced that all buses to the school have been cancelled, though the college is still open for students who can make it in.

8.59am UPDATE:

Four gritters and three snow ploughs are currently in action on A361 North Devon Link Road.

There is convoy system in place for light vehicles. Around 20 to 30 heavy vehicles, including HGV lorries, are reported to be parked on the edge of the road.

Lorry drivers reporting they have been stuck on the link road for over two and a half hours.

8.50am UPDATE:

A crash has occurred on the A377 just outside the Portsmouth Arms. A silver Toyota, which was heading in the Barnstaple direction, veered across the carriageway before colliding with a bridge. The road is open and passable with care.

8.46am UPDATE:

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police has confirmed there are on and off closures on A361 North Devon Link Road. They described the conditions on the road as ‘treacherous’ and said to avoid it if possible.

8.38am UPDATE:

A361 North Devon Link Road now REOPEN. The road is passable with care and motorists are urged to take extra caution. Snow ploughs are on the road trying to clear the carriageway.

8.34am UPDATE:

Heavy snow on A361 North Devon Link Road. Snow ploughs in action. Devon and Cornwall Police warning motorists to travel only if 'essential'.

8.15am UPDATE:

- A361 North Devon Link Road now closed at South Molton and Bolham near Tiverton.

- Reports that three lorries have jack-knifed on the A361 North Devon Link Road.

- The A361 in Ilfracombe is closed in both directions due to hazardous driving conditions in both directions at Mullacott Cross Roundabout, because of snow.

7am UPDATE:

- The A361 North Devon Link Road is closed at Rackenford due to a jack-knifed lorry and snow. The road is closed in both directions at the Rifton Lane junction. It has been closed since around 5am and is expected to remain shut for some time.

Motorists are being urged to travel carefully on the region’s roads today as snow and ice is causing hazardous conditions across the county.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Difficult driving conditions across Devon this morning. Allow extra time for journeys & check your local media for weather & travel updates.

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SCHOOLS:

Closed schools:

- Pathfield School in Barnstaple has been closed due to snow. The school said it would be closed for Friday but should be reopened on Monday morning. It also said no transport running by Filers due to snow had been a factor in its closure.

- Parracombe Church of England School is closed

- Brayford Primary School is closed

- Shirwell Primary School is closed

- Sprayton Primary School is closed

- Combe Martin Primary School is closed

- Ilfracombe Church Of England Junior School is closed

- Chittlehampton Church of England School is closed

- Filleigh Community School is closed

- Umberleigh Community Primary is closed

- West Buckland School is closed

- High Bickington Church of England School is closed

- Springfield nursery in Barnstaple is closed

- Marwood School in Barnstaple is closed

- West Down School in Ilfracombe is closed

- Rackenford Church Of England Primary School is closed due to the weather conditions

- North Molton School is closed

- South Molton Community College is closed

- Hartland Primary School is closed

- Witheridge Church Of England Primary School is closed

- Ilfracombe Junior School is closed

- Ilfracombe Infants School is closed

- Ilfracombe Infant and Nursery School is closed

- Bratton Fleming Community Primary School is closed

- Bishops Nympton Primary School is closed. It said it had taken the decision due to "snow and inability of staff to reach the school".

- Woolacombe Primary School is closed. A spokesperson said: "School is now closed due to the weather. We tried our best to open but unfortunately the weather is getting worse. Please take care."

- Winkleigh Primary School is closed

- Bampton Church Of England Primary School has been closed this morning due to snow. The school said it would be closed for the whole of today due to “snowfall and met office forecast of more throughout the morning”. It is expected to reopen as normal on Monday.

Schools partially open:

- Berrynarbor Church Of England Primary School in Ilfracombe is closed this morning but is due to open at 1pm.

- St Helen's Church of England Primary School in Abbotsham will be partially closed today. A statement from the school said: “Following a review of Health and safety and staff access to the school the Governing Body have agreed that it is not possible to run Breakfast Club, or open school for 09:00.

“A further review of staff access will take place later this morning with a view to opening school for 10:00 if possible. We will continue to keep you informed.” - Update St Helen's Church of England Primary School will open at 10am.

- Ilfracombe Media Arts College is closed to all pupils who don't have an exam today. A statement released by the school said: "Due to weather conditions the school will be closed to all students other than those who have an exam, and all Year 11 students who can get here safely." Ilfracombe Arts College said all buses to the school have been cancelled, though the college is still open for students who can make it in.

Schools which remain open:

- Chulmleigh Community College is open and the history exam will take place. However the following school buses are NOT running: Turners Tours 1, 3, 5, 8, 13. Beacon 4, 7, 9, 11, 17, 19.377 & 377S. 24 may run. Powells, 6 IS running.

- The Park Community School in Barnstaple will be open as normal today

- Petroc in Barnstaple is open

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TRAINS:

According to National Rail and First Great Western, train services are currently running as normal on the Tarka Line between Barnstaple and Exeter St David’s. Any service changes will be posted here as soon as they are announced.

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WEATHER FORECAST:

1pm UPDATE:

The earlier snow weather warnings remain in place, although he Met Office has now issued two further ice warnings for Devont for the weekend.

The yellow-graded weather warning, the lowest kind issued by the Exeter-based agency, is in place for parts of North Devon including Exmoor, Torridge, South Molton, Chulmleigh, the A361 North Devon Link Road and the A377.

It is in place from just after midnight until 11am on Sunday.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: “The wintry weather will continue through the weekend, albeit in a less severe form.

“The continuing low temperatures will mean that lying snow will remain and ice will become a problem, both were snow partly melts, or in the southwest of England and Wales where heavier rain fell early on Friday.

“Although some further slight snowfalls are likely, with 1 to 2cm of fresh snow in a few places, the focus switches to ice, with sub-zero temperatures persisting over existing snow cover for many areas and spreading back into parts of the South West towards daybreak on Saturday.

“The public should be aware of the risk of localised disruption to transport during this spell of wintry weather.”

7am UPDATE:

Snow weather warnings are currently in place for North Devon.

Areas including Barnstaple, Lynton, Lynmouth, Combe Martin and the A361 North Devon Link Road are all on an ‘amber’ alert for snow, which warns residents to ‘be prepared’.

Areas in the Torridge district remain on a yellow-graded snow warning, which is the lowest-kind issued by the Met Office and urges residents to ‘be aware’.

The warnings are in place until 11.55pm. Forecasters have warned ‘blizzard’ conditions are possible on high ground.

The Met Office said a frontal system, which is expected to move across southern, western and central areas of the UK during Friday, could see rain turning to snow in many areas of the Westcountry.

A Met Office forecaster said: “A band of snow, heavy in places, will spread northeastwards across Wales and the southwestern half of England during Friday morning.

“Winds will strengthen, leading to drifting of lying snow, whilst blizzards are likely over high ground.

“Accumulations of more than 5-10 cm of snow will occur quite widely, with 15cm in some western parts of the amber area, falling within 3-6 hours.

“The snow will turn to rain and sleet across southwest England through the day.

“The public should be prepared for disruption, including altering travel plans.”

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OTHER ISSUES:

4.01pm UPDATE:

Vodafone has confirmed some of its customers in North Devon are seeing a reduced mobile phone service due to the snow.

Spokesman Ally Stevens said: "Our transmitters work on microwave technology and when this equipment gets covered in snow it affects the signal it can send out.

"We believe only a small number of customers are affected and the problems seem to be intermittent.

"Our teams are monitoring the situation and hope to get things resolved reasonably quickly."

3.35pm UPDATE:

Western Power Distribution have confirmed around 300 customers in North Devon have been affected by a loss of power today.

Spokesman Irene Evans said reports had come in from all over North Devon.

She said: "We have had ten high voltage power line faults in North Devon today and these have affected small pockets of houses across the area.

"Ice covered power lines have also caused short interruptions.

"There was a major fault with a power line between Barnstaple and Lynton which has been taking up a lot of our engineers' time but would not have affected anyone's power supply.

"There are currently six customers off supply in North Devon and we still have three faults on power lines.

"Our engineers have been working throughout the day and will continue to work on any problems until they are resolved."

10am UPDATE:

We have received reports that there is no phone signal in Croyde and Georgeham. There is also a temperamental electricity supply to homes in both Croyde and Georgeham.

North Devon Council confirmed there will be disruption to some waste and recycling collections today.

They have released the following information on today’s collections:

Recycling collections:

Collections are running as normal in Barnstaple.

However, collections in Atherington and Chulmleigh are cancelled today and will instead be collected on Monday, January 21.

Green Wheelie bins:

All green wheelie bin collections have been cancelled today.

This affects areas around Witheridge, Chulmleigh, Burrington and East Anstey. Unfortunately, we are unable to make any extra collections next week so please wait until your next scheduled collection.

Black bins/bags:

Bins in Roundswell and Bickington should be collected as normal today.

Collections in Ilfracombe are running late due to road closures at Mullacott Cross. Vehicles are on their way and will collect as much as possible. Any streets in Ilfracombe that remain inaccessible will be collected on Monday, January 21.

Torridge Council are attempting to complete collections today but warned there may be disruption.

In a statement released this morning, the council said: “Torridge District Council refuse and recycling crews are all out trying to complete their rounds today, but please be aware there may be some disruption due to the snowy and icy conditions. As far as possible and where it is safe to do so, the trucks will follow their normal Friday routes. “

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Has your journey been affected by snow or a road closure? Let us know. Email emma.glanfield@localworld.co.uk or send us a message on Twitter: @ThisisNDevon.

Don’t forget to send all your snow pictures to us as well. Alternatively, you can upload your own photographs here.

Click here to view a one-day or four-day weather forecast for North Devon.